CD CONNECTION

[exodus]

HI guys. Ihave a marantz cd player with a digital output For the best sound quality which is the best connection a digital one or an analogue? YOUR advice is most welcome. THANKS.

 

[j_garcia]

Depends on the player Most AVRs these days have DACs that are plenty good enough, so you can try both ways and see which you prefer, but without knowing which player it is, digital should be fine.

 

[exodus]

Thanks JEDI. My marantz cd player is an old one a special edition MK57 M2. IT is connected to a yamaha avr. Ive had it for the past 18years and has great sounnd and without any trouble so far.

 

[lovinthehd]

I prefer digital connections but when I've used analog connections on a wide variety of players that's been fine as well. Try both and keep the one that makes you happier.

 

[exodus]

I think Ijust do that.THANKS.

 

[herbu]

For the best sound quality which is the best connection a digital one or an analogue?

You understand that in your system, there will be some digital/analog conversion going on regardless of what you do? Your source is digital. Your speakers only take analog. Your receiver processes digital.

If you use the analog pre-outs on your CD player, here's what happens:
> CD provided digital
> CD player converts digital to analog for preouts
> AVR converts incoming analog to digital for processing
> AVR converts finished digital to analog for output to speakers

So if you take analog from your CD player, and do anything but amplify it, (like YPAO, various theater modes, etc), you're double dipping in the conversion bowl.

Now, the suggestion to try both is still good. It will demonstrate how little difference, (if any), the A/D D/A conversions make to your ears.

 

[KenM10759]

Interesting comment herbu.

It never occurred to me that the analog signal from my CD player would have to be "reprocessed" to get the frequency-limited signal to the subwoofer. I suppose it would have to because the crossover on the sub is set to the LFE position, which on mine is the high end (200hz) of the range of the knob.

I've always used the optical output on my 1990's vintage Sony player, if for no other reason than I assume the 2014 build of my receiver probably has a better DAC section.

 

[lovinthehd]

....let alone all the digital processing most of your audio goes thru before it gets to you....

 

[JOHN FICKEL]

Excellent explanation Herbu. Now would you all recommend doing the same thing with the musical fidelity nu- vista 3-D , would you think the DAC is better than that of the Z9? Yamaha receiver

 

[j_garcia]

The point of buying a "fancy" CD player would be to get a superior analog section. My 105's DACs are superior to my Emotiva so I use it via analog for music. For movies though, digital it is for the room correction and better bass management of the Emo. That's why I said it depends on the player.

 

[JOHN FICKEL]

Ok. Iv never hooked it up with an optical cable, I guess I'll do just that and compare the sound Thank you